Court documents have provided new insight into the case of a Massachusetts teenager accused of encouraging her friend to commit suicide.
Michelle Carter of Plainville was just 17 when 18-year-old Conrad Roy III took his own life last July. Back in February, she was charged with manslaughter in his death.
Prosecutors say a string of text messages between the two, released Friday, show that Carter spent days convincing Roy to kill himself.
[Click here to read the exchanges. WARNING: Graphic content included.]
In one discussion, Roy appears worried about how his parents would respond to his suicide, and Carter purportedly tries to calm that fear.
"I think your parents know you're in a really bad place," she said, according to the documents. "I'm not saying they want you to do it but I honestly feel like they can accept it. They know there is nothing they can do. They've tried helping. Everyone's tried, but there is a point that comes where there isn't anything anyone can do to save you, not even yourself. And you've hit that point and I think your parents know you've hit that point. You said your mom saw a suicide thing on your computer and she didn't say anything. I think she knows it's on your mind and she's prepared for it. Everyone will be sad for a while but they will get over it and move on. They won't be in depression. I won't let that happen. They know how sad you are, and they know that you are doing this to be happy and I think they will understand and accept it. They will always carry you in their hearts ... You have to just do it. You have everything you need. There is no way you can fail. Tonight is the night. It's now or never."
Another exchange seems to show Roy opening a conversation without mentioning his plans and Carter pressuring him.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
"How was your day?" asked Roy.
"When are you doing it?" responded Carter.
Roy says that he had a good day.
"Ended up going to work for a little bit and then just looked stuff up," Roy said.
"When are you gonna do it? Stop ignoring the question????" said Carter.
Roy committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in Fairhaven, in his truck behind a store. Earlier this year, documents showed that Roy had apparently gotten out of the truck and reached out to Carter, who told him to "get back in."
Texts released Friday show Carter questioning whether the portable generator Roy planned to use emitted enough carbon monoxide to kill him.
"It emits more than cars," Roy said.
"Are you positive?" she asked.
As the conversation continued, Carter suggested an apparent backup plan.
"You could take that in your truck and take some Benadryls just in case," she said.
"Yeah, I'm gonna fall asleep and peacefully die," said Roy.
"Yeah, that's the best way," said Carter.
